Frequently Asked Questions
Chapter 41: Sensation, Perceptaion, and Cognition

How do the structures and functions of the cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem compare?

The cerebrum makes up most of the brain and is composed of gray matter and white matter. The cerebrum is responsible for thinking, memory, learning, receiving and responding to sensory stimuli, and controlling motor function. The cerebellum is a small structure consisting of a body that includes a narrow middle strip and two lateral lobes. It is responsible for unconscious functions, smooth-muscle functioning, and equilibrium. The brain stem is composed of the midbrain, pons, and medulla oblongata. It is responsible for vision, hearing, connecting upper and lower levels of the central nervous system (CNS), respiration, wakefulness, heart rate, swallowing, coughing, and processing sensory input from the spinal tract.

What are the types of memory?

The types of memory are immediate memory (retention of information for a specified and usually short period of time), recent memory (24 hour recall), and remote memory (the retention of experiences that occurred during earlier periods of life).

What is the difference between crystallized intelligence and fluid intelligence?

Crystallized intelligence (acquired knowledge) is the application of life experiences and learned skills to solve problems. Crystallized intelligence increases with age. Fluid intelligence is the ability to acquire new concepts and adapt to unfamiliar situations or mental activities based on organizing information. Fluid intelligence decreases over time.

What are the five types of hallucinations?

The five types of hallucinations are visual, auditory, tactile, olfactory, and gustatory.

Which types of clients are at increased risk for sensory-perceptual deficits?

The clients who are at increased risk for sensory-perceptual deficits are the older adult, the homebound, clients who live alone, the institutionalized, the chronically ill or physically handicapped, the mentally ill, or those with a developmental delay.

What are the nursing interventions that can be used to help clients with tactile deficits?

Safety is an important part of the care of clients with sensory deficits. Clients with impaired tactile sensation are at increased risk for skin breakdown. Client and family education should include information on preventing tissue and skin breakdown, avoiding falls and injuries, and avoiding extremely high or low stimuli.

What are the nursing interventions that can be used to help clients with impaired hearing?

Clients with impaired hearing are at risk for social isolation and require communication aids, such as a communication board or even an interpreter for the deaf. The important principle to remember when using an interpreter is to speak directly with the client, not the interpreter.

What are some guidelines to help clients with impaired vision?

Clients with visual impairments require a special approach. The nurse should (1) ask the client to explain what is helpful; (2) look at the client while speaking; (3) encourage the client to handle items and objects; (4) keep furniture and other items in their usual place; (5) use a normal tone, volume, and rate of speaking; and (6) inform the client when entering or leaving the room.

What are the nursing interventions that can be used to help clients who are confused?

Nursing interventions that can be used when working with the confused include reducing clutter and sensory overload, keeping the bed low to prevent falls, keeping medications and dangerous objects out of the client’s reach, locking doors to protect wanderers, supervising activities, providing memory aids, encouraging independence, and treating the client with respect and dignity.